The Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System (OCVAHCS) is actively recruiting a board certified, board eligible full-time permanent hospital employed Rheumatology physician to join our Section of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy. The Rheumatology Physician is accountable to the Chief of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy service. We are recruiting a highly qualified and equally motivated rheumatologist, who is fellowship trained in Rheumatology. The Rheumatologist participates in clinic duties managing complex rheumatology/arthritis patients including but not limited to those treated for OA, rheumatoid arthritis, primary and secondary fibromyalgia, Gout/Pseudogout, Polymyalgia rheumatica, sclerodenna, Sjogren's syndrome, systematic lupus erythematous, Reiter's syndrome/reactive arthritis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, septic arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and vasculitis. Duties include:

1. Obtaining history, physical exam, ordering and interpreting tests such as X-rays, MRIs, DEXA.
2. Order and interpret specialty laboratory/serologic evaluations including but not limited to rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP, Antinuclear body (ANA) panel, HLA-B27, uric acid levels, inflammation markers, QuantiFERON TB, acute and chronic hepatitis panel, Culture& Susceptibility, crystal examination, cell count of synovial fluid.
3. Prescribing complex medications that require lab monitoring including but not limited to DMARDs and biologics.
4. Ordering infusion medications such as rituximab and coordinating with infusion clinic for patient care.
5. Diagnosis, assessment, and medications unique to this population.
6. Titration of specialty medications.
7. Coordinate and initiate non-Formulary requests.
8. Performing Medicine Reconciliation and review per VHA protocol.
9. Ordering diagnostic studies and other special tests such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI),
10. Computerized Tomography (CT scans), DEXA scans, and X-RAYs and provide preliminary results.
11. Ordering and obtaining laboratory specimen including studies that are unique to both pulmonary and rheumatology services.
12. Ordering ancillary services, such as not limited to pharmacy, social services, physical therapy and rehabilitation services, prosthetics, orthotics, and specialty clinical services.
13. Ordering patient care supplies including but not limited to braces, splints, slings and prosthetics.
14. Performing intra-articular joint injections in rheumatology and injection clinic, this includes obtaining consent as well as documenting non-operating procedure notes.
15. Intercommunity and inter-facility referrals are often made to physical therapy, occupational therapy, orthotics, prosthetics, etc.
16. Coordinate with primary care with Muskogee and Fayetteville VAMC to obtain labs and radiographic studies for ongoing care with patients located in these regions, follow up these results and continue with ongoing care.
17. Ordering and monitoring of labs while on rheumatology medication to ensure there is no adverse side effects.
18. Screening patients in rheumatology for osteoporosis, calculating DEXA scores, promoting bone health.
19. Coordinate clinic flow and patient access, including expedited exams and assessments, and will assist fellows with their overbook patients.
20. Evaluate, assess, and provide discussion and education for testing alerting veterans/caregivers and securing additional follow up, evaluations, and new treatment plans to enhance continuity of care.

The OCVAMC is located in Oklahoma City, OK and is the Flagship for the Oklahoma VA Health Care System (OCVAHCS) - a Joint Commission accredited, referral level 1b (medium complexity) facility. The staff serves patients across the spectrum of inpatient and outpatient care for more than 70,000 veterans in an area that includes 48 counties in Oklahoma and 2 counties in North Central Texas. Join a department that is expanding the clinical area to better serve veteran patients!

Work Schedule

Full-time, Monday-Friday 08:00-4:30

U.S. Citizens receive preference; non-U.S. Citizens may be considered.

Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the U.S.

Board Certified in Rheumatology preferred, but Board Eligibility may also be considered. Additional board certification in Internal Medicine is preferred.

The starting pay is $250,000 - $320,000 per year.

• A recruitment incentive will be offered, and there is the potential for an annual performance bonus of up to $15,000.
• Retirement: Federal Retirement Plan through the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) - A three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits; 2) FERS-FRAE basic benefits (pension); and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan, with up to 5% government matching contributions
• Eligible for Education Debt Repayment Program. (EDRP)
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives available.
• Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME)
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
• CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided
• Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restrictions on moonlighting
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives available
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Community Information

Welcome to Oklahoma, the sooner state! Scenic beauty, a moderate climate, a culture rich in history and the arts, and world-class sports and recreational opportunities make Oklahoma an exceptional place to live and do business. Combine that with quality health care, top universities, a low-cost and quality standard of living, it's easy to see why most people who live here never want to leave. Oklahoma is ideal for your inner adventurer if you enjoy live music and nightlife, different foods, short drive time during the rush hour, and different parks. Oklahoma is home to 32 state parks to explore and lots more. Oklahoma is ranked the number one city park in the nation according to USA Today, and the second most affordable state to live in. You will enjoy a very affordable standard of living and affordable housing, either for investment purposes or otherwise. Oklahoma is ranked a top 10 city for entrepreneurs and, as a growing state, Oklahoma has a lot of amazing opportunities to tap from. The standard of living and peace of mind that comes with Oklahoma is simply unbelievable, giving you the opportunity to spend time with family while saving money. 

I highly encourage you to consider VA employment in Oklahoma. We offer both a mission you can put your heart into by taking care of our veterans, and a home for fun, new experiences, whether you’re interested in exploring one of the many mountains climbing, hiking, biking, boating, camping, fishing, hunting, canoeing, horseback riding and many more.

About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

Connections working at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration